If Thursday's lunch crowd at Lawrence Street Park was any indicator, Zeeland Fire Rescue's 24th annual "Pig Out" was a huge success.Final figures won't be available for a few days but by 6 p.m., Zeeland Fire Capt. Larry Redder said ticket sales were up by more than 100 adult meals — with another hour of sales to go. Diners crowded the park's large gazebo, while others headed to picnic tables scattered near large bounce houses. Just beyond that, more than a dozen youngsters ran around under the fire-truck-operated giant sprinkler.Mary Bonzelaar, of Zeeland Township, said she's been a Pig Out fan for at least five years, maybe more."It's always awesome. We wouldn't miss it," she said. "Great food, great prices and it goes for a very good cause that helps all of us."That good cause is public safety education. Firefighters visit schools and host booths at such community events as Day of the Young Child. The money pays for items they give to children to teach fire safety.Many city employees, from police officers to office workers, stopped by the park for lunch. Zeeland Police Sgt. Tom Ball brought along shiny silver police-badge stickers to give children. The police department is happy to support Pig Out efforts, he said, "because firefighters help us out."They help with parades and I put a few at certain corners to help with the Zeeland Zoom and the criterium," he said, listing more Zeeland crowd-pleasers.Firefighter Kim Bouchard volunteered to work the event during the day but her evening plans included graduating from Ottawa County Fire Academy. The Zeeland resident has worked for the city's fire rescue services since 2013 and is a registered nurse at Spectrum Health. She wanted to be a firefighter, she said, "because I like helping people."Denise Bruce arrived at the park with her infant son, Ryatt, his grandmother, his aunt and four other young children besides her own. She said Pig Out is more than a tradition for her family."My neighbors help organize this, so we always come," she said, cradling her baby. "It's family-oriented fun. We live in Zeeland, so it's fun to support community events."— Follow this reporter on Facebook and Twitter, @SentinelPeg.